There is a new twist to the source of the suspected slush funds traced to the ex First lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan which has been frozen by the EFCC.
A twist has occurred in the alleged slush accounts traced to the former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, with claims by her counsel that two of the accounts belonged to her late mother, Madam Charity Fyneface Oba, according to The Nation.
The counsel, Mr. Charles Ogboli, also admitted that only three of the five accounts in dispute could be traced to the ex-First Lady and her mum.
But there were indications yesterday that some senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a meeting on Thursday, where they vowed to back the former First Lady in her suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of about $19.8 million in her accounts.
At press time, it was gathered that Mrs. Jonathan was in Abuja where she was strategising on how to win her case. The ex-First Lady’s counsel spoke on the Channels Television discussion programme, Sunrise.
The defence of the First Lady has also gone viral on YouTube to underscore her readiness for a fight to the finish with EFCC. Ogboli is however the third lawyer in three weeks to speak on behalf of Mrs. Jonathan.
Ogboli said: “That is not true. The First Lady did not hold five accounts. They are three accounts. The First Lady was the signatory of one account and the mother was a signatory to the other two accounts.
“These accounts were not on a company’s name; it is on a personal data name of the First Lady. If you check, the BVN showed clearly on a personal name.
“And if you go through the BVN, it shows that it is her personal account; it is not connected with the companies facing trial.
“The First Lady was never privy to the companies standing trial. The money that is in the account ($5 million) should be left to the First Lady.”
Responding to a question, Ogboli added: “I am explaining on behalf of the First Lady that this is what transpired.”
He maintained that the former First Lady had protested between 2013 and 2014 against the use of unknown companies to open accounts for her by the former Senior Special Assistant (Domestic / Household and Social Events to the former President), Dr. Dudafa Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel.
The counsel, Mr. Charles Ogboli, also admitted that only three of the five accounts in dispute could be traced to the ex-First Lady and her mum.
But there were indications yesterday that some senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a meeting on Thursday, where they vowed to back the former First Lady in her suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of about $19.8 million in her accounts.
At press time, it was gathered that Mrs. Jonathan was in Abuja where she was strategising on how to win her case. The ex-First Lady’s counsel spoke on the Channels Television discussion programme, Sunrise.
The defence of the First Lady has also gone viral on YouTube to underscore her readiness for a fight to the finish with EFCC. Ogboli is however the third lawyer in three weeks to speak on behalf of Mrs. Jonathan.
Ogboli said: “That is not true. The First Lady did not hold five accounts. They are three accounts. The First Lady was the signatory of one account and the mother was a signatory to the other two accounts.
“These accounts were not on a company’s name; it is on a personal data name of the First Lady. If you check, the BVN showed clearly on a personal name.
“And if you go through the BVN, it shows that it is her personal account; it is not connected with the companies facing trial.
“The First Lady was never privy to the companies standing trial. The money that is in the account ($5 million) should be left to the First Lady.”
Responding to a question, Ogboli added: “I am explaining on behalf of the First Lady that this is what transpired.”
He maintained that the former First Lady had protested between 2013 and 2014 against the use of unknown companies to open accounts for her by the former Senior Special Assistant (Domestic / Household and Social Events to the former President), Dr. Dudafa Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel.
